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Reconstructionist bodies set to merge

SAN FRANCISCO (JTA) — The two organizational arms of the Reconstructionist movement are set to merge.

Following a year-and-a-half of negotiations, the boards of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College and the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation have voted to form one body that will be responsible for Reconstructionist Judaism in North America.

Reconstructionist leaders say the merger will permit better use of limited resources and allow the movement to focus more effectively on its main concerns: education, movement services and social justice.

The federation represents the movement’s 105 congregations; the college is the Reconstructionist movement’s sole rabbinical seminary.

The Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association, which represents more than 300 member rabbis, endorsed the move and its rabbis will have a formal role in the newly merged entity.

The proposal will be voted on during an April 10 meeting in Philadelphia. If approved, the new organization will have one board, staff and chief executive.